ATLANTA – Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Commissioner Kevin Tanner has appointed Ashley Allen as the chief executive officer of Gateway Community Service Board (CSB) effective July 1, 2024. DBHDD’s community service boards are an integral part of Georgia's public safety net, ensuring individuals with behavioral health disorders move through a continuum of services to meet their changing needs, to achieve recovery and live independently in the community.

Ashley brings nearly 17 years of experience in leadership within the behavioral health sector across Pennsylvania and Georgia. Before joining Gateway CSB as chief operating officer in June 2023, Ashley held various leadership roles at River Edge Behavioral Health, a prominent CSB based in Macon. She holds a Doctor of Social Work in Administrative Leadership from the University of Kentucky. Ashley received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Georgia.

“In her previous roles, Dr. Allen has distinguished herself as a trusted and effective leader in the behavioral health community,” said Commissioner Tanner. “Her elevation to this new role will bring significant benefits to coastal Georgia for years to come. Gateway has been a pivotal partner in strengthening Georgia's behavioral health care continuum. Under Dr. Allen's leadership, we can expect even more citizens to receive exceptional behavioral health care.”

Commissioner Tanner’s decision to elevate Ashley comes after the passing of former Gateway CEO Dr. Mark Johnson. The Department also commends Gateway CFO David Crews, a long-term employee and valued member of the leadership team, for stepping up and taking the helm of Gateway CSB following the passing of Johnson. As Crews plans for his well-deserved retirement, the Department recognizes his exemplary dedication to ensuring Gateway’s operations remained unaffected during this leadership transition.

Gateway Community Service Board provides comprehensive community services for mental health, substance use disorders and developmental disorders to its people and communities. To support this mission, DBHDD is continuing to invest in projects operated by Gateway CSB, such as a new crisis stabilization unit for children and adolescents in the Savannah area. The General Assembly has dedicated $15.5 million for Gateway to construct the new facility, which will be operational in 2025. Information about the new CSU and other innovative projects in the Savannah area will be announced this fall.

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Director, Office of Communications Camille Taylor

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